“As for the oblation of the firstfruits, ye shall offer them unto the LORD: but they shall not be burnt on the altar for a sweet savour.”
King James Version (KJV)
GiGi's comment on 2022-10-03 20:37:53:
Leviticus Chapter 2
...continued.
The Holy Spirit worked within the Israelites to help them complete the tabernacle. I believe it is most likely that He also enlightened them in understanding the significance and efficacy of these sacrifices and offerings. We just do not know for sure what these people experienced at that particular time. But God is good and works things for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. He had a purpose for this chosen nation. Salt, the preservative, the Holy Spirit, the Preserver, must have been working in this nation because if He was not, on their own humanness, their faith, zeal, and service to God would have diminished and eventually died out. But these were preserved in this nation until Christ came. And then these ordinances were no longer needed, since the Holy Spirit indwells all believers and brings about all that these ordinances brought to the believers. The Jewish nation rejected Jesus, their Messiah, so the Holy Spirit withdrew from them and their worship. And, then, in 66, 70 and 145 A.D. Jerusalem was completed taken over, ransacked, and razed by the Romans. Million + Jews were killed. Many fled the area. The Temple was burned and almost totally demolished (the wailing wall is all that is left).
The temple services were stopped. The ordinances ceased since there was not longer a Tabernacle for them to be performed in.
God's Presence was no longer among the Jews. Most of the Jews other tribes had been long scattered across the globe, preventing a centralized culture, religious life, and national identity of these people for almost 2 millennia. Even with the re-establishment of the nation of Israel in 1948, God has not necessarily renewed His favor nor Presence among these people.
Though His Covenant will be fulfilled before the end of days, He has not worked among these people like He did in the days of Moses in the time between leaving Egypt and arriving at Canaan. Will He do so once again?
GiGi's comment on 2022-10-03 20:15:13:
Leviticus Chapter 2
Salt also was an expensive element. Therefore, it would bring even more value to the offering because of its inherent worth and usefulness. The Holy Spirit does empower our service, preserve our faith, purify our hearts from our sin when we bring it to God (as in the meat offering) through Jesus. The Holy Spirit must be present in our lives if we are to come before the Father and find favor instead of wrath. So, unbelievers' efforts to bring an offering or sacrifice are futile and rejected by God. Salt makes what is bland and ordinary something satisfying and rich in flavor. So, the work of the Holy Spirit takes simple humans who are so small in comparison to the grandeur of God and raises us up to be more Christ-like by His sanctifying work.
This chapter really spoke to me tonight. Much to be gleaned from it, for me. God does not need anything from us. There is nothing we can give Him that He does not already possess in infinite measure and perfection. He is altogether self-existing and self-sufficient. He is the ultimate Giver. But He knew that offering these sacrifices (ch.1) and offerings (ch.2) would greatly benefit His people. We think we are serving Him, but really He is serving us. He is ever benevolent to those He has chosen for Himself. He works all things for good to those who love Him and are called by His purpose.
While the sacrifices in Chapter 1 were for sin; the offerings of this Chapter are for expressing gratitude and acknowledging God's provision for us in all that we need and then some! Praise and glory to our God who loves us so and teaches us what we cannot learn of ourselves. Here He teaches the Israelites many lessons in these chapters describing these sacrifices and offerings. I wonder how much He opened their minds to understanding beyond their abilities in these things. In the final chapters of Exodus it says that people were filled with the Holy Spirit to have understanding and skill to make the tabernacle.
GiGi's comment on 2022-10-03 19:59:13:
Leviticus Chapter 2
...continued
Frankincense was a very rare and costly commodity. It was harvested from the boswellia in North Aftrica, India, and Arabia. It comes from a tree related to the turpentine tree. Harvesters shave back a section of bark and over a few months the resin seeps out and forms crystal "tears" along the tree trunk. The harvester comes back and collects the "tears". It releases its aroma best when heated or burned. it has many medicinal and healing properties. Perhaps there were Boswellia trees in the wilderness at that time or maybe in Egypt.
The sweet aroma of frankincense was released when burned with both meat sacrifices and meal offerings. Its aroma is said to be pleasing to God. God does not have a sense of smell like we do. But He has His own ways of experiencing the aroma of incense. Incense is often equated with the prayers of the saints. So, in these meal offerings, the oil of faith and incense of prayers are to be applied with the offering of the work of our hands to God. These offerings are what man brings to God, not what God does for man. So, I don't really think they represent God's gifts to us. But I do think that these offerings represent Christ and His work for us being presented to the Father. Truly, only what is of Christ is acceptable to the Father. he is our Mediator and Intercessor. We serve God in our capacity, but Jesus righteousness and work on our behalf brings us into the Presence of God.
The offering of fruits and vegetables were not burned. Perhaps lain on the altar and blessed with thanksgiving and then the Levites had them for their meals.
The last thing that is emphasized is the adding of salt to all of the sacrifices. Salt is a cleanser, disinfectant, and preservative as well as a flavor enhancer.
So, salt was a element that purifies, that causes something to endure, and as an enhancer to ordinary things.
So, perhaps the salt represents the Holy Spirit, who does all of these things.
GiGi's comment on 2022-10-03 19:31:21:
Leviticus Chapter 2
In this chapter, Moses is given directions concerning non-flesh offerings. They are:
fine flour, oil, and frankincense
unleavened bread or wafers , oil, and frankincense
fruits and vegetables, oil, and frankincense
These are to be brought to the high priest. He takes some of the offering and offers it as a sacrifice. The rest is for Him and his sons to have for food.
They are not to use leaven or honey in their bread. Most likely, the leaven stands for sin and the honey, worldly pleasure. God does not want any of these mixed in with our offerings to Him. We are told to examine ourselves before partaking of the Lord's Supper. We should ask God to show us sin that we are to confess and repent of. The Holy Spirit will help us when we ask this. We are to bring our offering with clean hands and hearts. We are to worship God without sensuality or with elements of the world. Reminds me of how much we pass off as worship in our church services and especially concerts have adopted the actions, atmosphere, and special effects of the secular music industry.
We are also to purposely set aside some of what we have from our agriculture and from our kitchen for and offering to God. He does not need to eat. So, what is the purpose of offering food to Him? Perhaps it is that we are to be willing to part with some of what sustains us physically and trust that He will give us our "daily bread" both physically and spiritually.
We are to bring enough to that the priests will have a goodly share for their sustenance. So, we should be willing to pay our pastors a worthy salary for their work for us.
The oil, perhaps representing the faith (the ten virgins had oil in their lamps (faith) that the bridegroom would soon come). The offerings of the work of our hands is to be done in faith (that God is a rewarder of those who seek him in faith). Also, oil was used for anointing common things for holy use (set apart for God) So, the oil may represent this.
GiGi's comment on 2022-09-26 16:23:25:
Thank you David for that Lovely Aaronic blessing.
And these trying times do remind us to consider seriously "how then shall we live?" You have expressed well what should be on our minds as we consider how we will live for our Lord.
David T's comment on 2022-09-26 09:09:55:
My walk in the LORD GOD should always be "salted" in the joy I have because of CHRIST JESUS in me. As I adhere unto the things of GOD, I can be assured that the LORD will hear and answer my prayers and supplication. 1 John 5: 14, 15
At this junction, our country is facing grave and dangerous outcomes with our current leaders and the direction we are heading with their current economic, social, and religious ideologies. I must go before the LORD as depicted in
2 Chronicles 7:14, 15.
The disciples asked the LORD JESUS why they couldn't heal the demon possessed boy, and the HE replied "Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting." Matthew 17: 21 If I desire healing for our land and country, I must become "salt" and turn from the leaven and honey; and praise the LORD in HIS great commission. If I am of CHRIST, then I must set my "...affections on things above and not on this earth..."
I must be willing to present my body as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable unto my GOD. "...And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."
Romans 12: 1, 2
I write this post to remind myself of what I need to do and where my devotion unto my LORD stands at this point in my walk with HIM.
I praise the LORD for all the saints on this forum and their love for the LORD JESUS CHRIST. The sharing, declaring, and proclaiming the precious things the LORD has done for you is certainly encouraging for me to read and glorify HIM.
Numbers 6
24 The LORD bless thee, and keep thee:
25 The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee:
26 The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.
The LORD to lift all who love HIM and await HIS soon and imminent coming. Titus 2: 11-15
September 26, 2022
Anonymous's comment on 2012-10-06 13:29:56:
I find it very interesting that the King James Version is specific regarding "shall not be burnt on the altar". My New American Standard states "shall not ascend for a soothing aroma", which IMPLIES it won't be burnt. But now, I'm wondering why the first fruits won't be burnt.